The Paring Chardonnay 2017

The Paring Chardonnay 2017, Invigorating combination of ripe and silky fruit alongside a refreshing backbone of vibrant acidity. An inviting and delectable Chardonnay that offers something for everyone. Low yields and cool days created a blend that is both bold and rich as well as chiseled and steely. Citrus and green melon and hints of baking spice. Ready to pop and pour, it shines immediately out of the bottle. The 2017 Chardonnay is another terrific vintage for this cuvée and it’s a year in year out value. Ripe apple, green citrus, and hints of spice all define the bouquet, and it’s rounded and supple, with plenty of fruit as well as balance. It’s a no brainer purchase as well as a great introduction to the wines from The Hilt and Jonata.

The Paring wines are the second label from the acclaimed Hilt and Jonata properties.  The Paring Chardonnay consists of small lots of fruit from the Sta. Rita Hills estate vineyard of Salsipuedes that do not make the cut into The Hilt wines. While not technically biodynamic, the vineyards of Salsipuedes — Bentrock, Radian and Puerto Del Mar — are farmed to the highest standards; creating a functioning polyculture of bee hives, herds of ruminants, fruit, olives and of course, grapes. No artificial fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides are used. The winemaking here is identical to that of The Hilt wines; fermentations are entirely native with no added nutrients, enzymes, acids or sugars.  In fact, the Paring and Hilt wines are completely identical up until elevage, which is shorter, and utilizes a higher proportion of stainless steel and neutral oak barrels.

The Paring Chardonnay is a more exuberant, fruit driven and fresh quaffer than its Hilt counterpart, perfect for easy drinking and a great entry into the unique terroir of this very special estate. In many cases, winemaker Matt Dees chooses to use a broader appellation for the Paring wines so as to differentiate them from the Jonata and Hilt Estate wines.